The annual friendly at Bracken Moor brought out a feast of goals as the Blades made a good start top their pre-season program ahead of the season's start next month. Like last year, boss Chris Wilder opted field a differently eleven in each half.
United fielded a strong squad with new signings Baldock, Thomas, Stearman and Stevens were all given a run out. Academy starlets Jake Eastwood, Sam Graham and David Brooks were given an opportunity to shine. But there were notable absentees as Jake Wright missed out through injury and Ched Evans was rested. Transfer listed John Brayford was also absent.
A minute’s applause was taken by the strong 1,824 crowd prior to the match in memory of six year old Bradley Lowery who passed away later this week.
The hosts got the game underway, and the visitors had to wait until 21 minutes until they opened the scoring. Until then, desperate and quality defending kept United at bay. The Steels keeper was in fine form, keeping out Carruthers on the angle following a quickly taken free-kick. Youngster Graham was looking to make an impression, despite being a defender he got forward a couple of times, using his height to his advantage, firstly heading into the keepers arms before heading a Duffy centre over the top.
Their keeper produced a double save which was well applauded by the supporters. Captain Billy Sharp volleyed and the keeper was able to push the ball away, and as Clarke pounced for the rebound the keeper did well to keep his effort out.
United broke the deadlock through SHARP, and the following six minutes saw the Blades triple their lead. A lofted ball was brought down by Clarke and he teed up his strike partner to hammer home on the half-volley - leaving the keeper with no chance.
Further goals on 25th and 27th minute, both by CLARKE saw the Blades take a sizable lead into the break. He created his first goal by himself, finishing at the near post and in an 18 yard box scramble, after the ball was put across goal, the former Wednesday striker curled the ball low and home onto the far corner with the Steels defenders unable to hook off the line.
United continued to attack and came close to extending their lead further but Carruthers and Duffy efforts narrowly skimmed past the post.
HT: Stocksbridge Park Steels 0-3 Sheffield United
First Half Eleven: Moore, Basham, Graham, O’Connell, Baldock, Carruthers, Fleck, Thomas, Duffy, Sharp (c), Clarke.
The second half saw the entire XI changed with new signings Richard Stearman and Enda Stevens entering the field. The early exchanges saw United fail to put away chances as the Steels defence stood firm again. Freeman saw his volley blocked and Lavery's overhead kick was spectacularly kept out by the keeper.
Further chances were missed until LAVERY netted his first of the afternoon as Coutts saw his shot kept out by the keeper but the striker was firmly placed to pounce on the rebound. Lavery sailed a free-kick over the bar as he looked to double his tally. On 72 minutes he did. After picking up a loose ball he found himself one-on-one with the keeper, keeping his cool to finish smartly.
Ten minutes later he was handed an opportunity to make it 6-0 and complete his hat-trick. After Freeman had been fouled in the box, LAVERY slotted home the penalty.
The final eight minutes saw a flurry of goals. BROOKS beat two defenders before firing home, STEVENS made it eight when he headed home at the far post.
BROOKS doubled his tally in the final minute, his 18 yard effort capped off an excellent start to the Blades summer program.
Second Half Eleven: Eastwood, Freeman, Wilson, Stearman, Lafferty, Coutts (c), Reed, Stevens, Brooks, Lavery, Hanson.